floatn

You're traveling out of the country and you need to prove your citizenship to return. A driver's license simply doesn't prove that. But a birth certificate, provided you were born in the US, DOES. So, a birth certificate is required, or some other form of citizenship proof. The driver's license is to prove your identity, nothing more.

If you are cruising without a passport and encounter issues necessitating your early departure such as emergency, of course, you CAN fly home. It will be challenging to organize and costly, but, of course, you'll eventually get home.

I don't think there is a "partial charter" - it either is a charter or it isn't. Most likely this is a "themed" cruise with a group onboard. Could be any theme but depending on the size of the group, there could be some venues that won't be open to general pax population at different times.

If the DPH who holds the official records can't get it to him in less than 12 weeks, why would you think some other organization could do it faster? The official records have to be accessed to get a certified copy no matter who goes after it.

16 minutes ago, Thenagers said:

I’m curious about how she got a SS card with her name? Is this from the county clerks office?  I would do a Google search of how to fix this on the BC if so. 

I know it sounds crazy today, but one did not have to produce a birth certificate to get a social security card many years ago.

Late to the party, but I'll say that if 100+ crew are COVID positive, there could easily be another 400 affected since anyone berthing with those positive crew would likely be close contact and have to at least quarantine for 5 days. My understanding is that crew staterooms are likely to be trips and/or quads.

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/booksafe

I am constantly astounded that folks will travel outside the US without adequate travel insurance that covers even basic out of pocket expenses for unforeseen circumstances. And never more astounded that folks would do so in this era of global pandemic and greater possibility of needing that insurance than now. Many policies now cover those isolation and/or quarantine expenses and additional travel expenses such as airfare adjustments. Don't leave home without it!

From the regulations for social security: Individuals must submit proof of age immediately in every claim for benefits in which the claimant's age is an immediate factor of entitlement. This would be unless age has been previously established on some SSA record such as social security number application, previous application, etc.

31 minutes ago, matj2000 said:

 

What would you need it later for?

 

I have not needed or used my birth certificate in many years...

You'll need it when you file for social security retirement benefits.

Are you prepared for the additional out of pocket costs of 10 day isolation or quarantine either in a foreign country of state-side? Hotel rooms, food, miscellaneous expenses, airfare, air change fees? These are the types of things a good insurance policy should cover and there are plenty out there that do so. Every week there are folks at an all inclusive resort in MX or DR that unexpectedly test positive on that required test to fly and end up at the resort in isolation for an additional10 days. Many of the resorts are covering this but I don't know of any of the cruise lines that are. Even if you've done your part and are vaccinated, you can test positive during a cruise with symptoms or can be identified as a close contact of someone who is positive. Insurance is a just in case. And there are lots of just in case situations these days...

If you just boarded today, how does she have an orange status for COVID cases already? Isn't this the first sim cruise for this ship? 

Air2Sea (Choice Air) is typically published air so shouldn't be any different from what you can find on any search engine or the airlines own website. Sometimes there's a contracted fare that's less expensive but not sure where that's at these days with lines just now returning to service. So, ALL airfare is high right now.

THIS was the most concerning about your post: "a man who had  been exposed on Wednesday to someone who later tested positive was being denied boarding.  " What was he thinking??

I stand corrected: if you're sailing before October 31, Celebrity will cover your quarantine/isolation and get you home if you test positive for COVID during your cruise. Insurance allowances won't be an issue.

https://www.celebritycruises.com/gb/health-and-safety

The end of cruise COVID test is not to meet the mandated testing for air travel to return from international destinations but is one of the many protocols cruise lines have instituted to mitigate the spread of the virus. They don't want to be responsible for sending pax off into the vast world if they have COVID. Instead, they would send you off to isolate for the specified duration.

5 hours ago, DrKoob said:

Sorry, but a lot of travel insurance companies will not insure for COVID. Many have done that since the start of the pandemic. Make sure they do before you rely on that fact. 

Actually many have recently added epidemic riders to cover just such situations. Allianz in one I can name off the top of my head and there are others.

Yes, usually 6 months. But you don't need a passport for a closed loop cruise departing and returning from the same US port if you're a US citizen. Certified birth certificate and a photo ID will suffice.

You should begin self isolating for the recommended period of time per CDC guidelines. You can use medical proof of COVID positive diagnosis in lieu of negative test to then board a flight. Your travel insurance should cover the isolation/quarantine and flight changes - make sure you've purchased some.

Just a few things on this post. Passports are currently taking up to 18 weeks as there are significant backlogs at many offices. Those offices actually CLOSED for many months last year with no work moving at all until they reopened. Chances are her passport won't get back in time. She can board with a photo ID, a certified birth certificate and documents "bridging" the last names from birth certificate to current reservation name. She can obtain a copy of a marriage certificate (not license) and/or divorce papers from local state records if she doesn't have them. Bring them all to the terminal and assure they are all original, certified documents. PITA I know, but better safe than sorry.

That would be the June 5 sailing.

Too many unknowns now on whether antibodies from past infection last for any length of time so health officials are recommending that even those with past COVID get vaccinated for now. As this ramps up and studies can be done I expect this could be amended. But, as always, consult YOUR physician.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5862/?source=99362&fbclid=IwAR0LT22PbXgAY4epAGeFEv8Dns411EDIgrOTbfTb0UglVE3phhNRwwpyIo4

"From the flight, no doubt". Or the gift shop attendant at the airport, or the baggage handlers at the airport, or the baggage handlers at the pier, or the barista at the coffee shop, etc. Barbados has reported 5 new cases yesterday which is 5 times as many as a few days prior, all from visitors to the island.

15 hours ago, Threedrones said:

No, but not because of Covid. Because nothing would be open. Treatment for the virus has greatly improved. It is still highly contagious, but not a death sentence. H1N1 was far more contagious, but not nearly as deadly. Did people cruise then? Of course. 

The R naught (rate of infection) for H1N1 is similar to COVID so it was NOT more contagious. Though, admittedly, it's difficult to nail down R naught while in the middle of a pandemic. And, of course, the rate of death from COVID is much higher. What's different about the pandemic of 2008-2009 v.s. this one is the lack of social media then spreading rhetoric and misinformation. There were school closures then and repeated pleas to wear masks and practice good hygiene - we just don't remember.